Building Blocks Playgroup4516

The other day we watched our two and a half year old daughter write what she thought was a word. She drew a giant moon shape and followed that with a squiggly line across the page. She shouted, "C is for Cordelia!" Though our little girl's native intelligence is blooming for a lot of different reasons, one of the biggest and best influences on her is from Building Blocks, the day care in our neighborhood run by Amanda Ward. After a year our daughter attending BB fulltime, we are so happy to tell people about all the good things that go on there. First is their skills and language rich curriculum. It is not rushed but really organized. They go through all the letters, numbers, and important language phrases as well as a weekly science project and music and movement lesson. There's a nice balance of free play and structure. They give the children so many varied experiences, and they make sure to take every opportunity to celebrate holidays and birthdays. Second is the very good ratio of teachers to students, and the small size of the group. My daughter knows her friends well, and so at night, when we're counting down all the people that love her as a way of soothing her to sleep, we can include so many names. This also comes in handy on long car or train rides: "What does Oliver say? What does Rikyu like?" And the international flavor of the names gives us all practice with pronunciation! Another thing we appreciate at Building Blocks is the gentleness and genuineness of the teachers and aides. They speak to the kids with respect and know how to discipline them in loving ways. There is no fake baby talk, but instead an atmosphere of doing the next fun thing all together. We are especially grateful for the flexibility and generosity that Mandy and her wonderful husband George have shown at crucial moments for our family. When my wife was pregnant with our second they offered to watch our older one (in the middle of the week!) all evening until I could get back home from the hospital. Finally, we love the open and prompt communication. We are immediately told of any problems, and Mandy addresses our concerns immediately (and fairly). We are told if any other kid has been sick and sent home, so we can decide whether to keep our daughter home to avoid maybe catching something. The honesty and genuine care that we get at Building Blocks is not just professional, it is beautiful. We trust them to the daytime care of our sweet girl, and our whole family is the better for it.

Everyday that I pick up my daughter from Building Blocks she is full of smiles, hugs and good cheer. The curriculum is great and the teachers are very nurturing.

Great loving and caring staff. Our son (2 years old) has been going to BB for over a year now and he still loves it. They always seem to have tons of activities and art work...so much art work that we are running out of space to display it in our apartment...lol...Teachers are very involved with the kids and by the way our son interacts with and talks about them, we know he is in good hands. Highly recommended!

Oliver (21 mo.) used to go to a larger daycare, and he liked it fine. But since he started at Building Blocks, he’s been happier, more relaxed, and he even sleeps better. It’s a calm, nurturing environment, and the staff is top-notch. I’m always impressed with how well the kids there get along. Go and visit, and you’ll see what I mean.

I was completely new to New York and didn't have a clue who to get to watch my kids while I was at work. I met Mandy at Building Blocks and was instantly impressed. The interaction, intellectual stimulation, and love she and her staff gave the kids was all I could hope for in a day care. The teacher turnover rate is low and my kids are really happy there. Mandy has age appropriate cirriculums involving activities such as cooking, art, music, and nature studies that my kids just loved...What a wonderful family environment!

My daughter started at Building Blocks when she was 2 years old and she transitioned very well, thanks to the home-like, warm, and nurturing environment that Mandy and her staff provided. In addition, this is one of the few family daycares that actually provides structure and follows a curriculum, preparing the children for preschool/kindergarten. It's comfortable, cheerful, and safe and my daughter seems to have a lot of fun with her friends and teachers--like one big family!

My kids vote with their feet - they run to Building Blocks every morning laughing all the way.

The space for younger toddlers is small, but very sweet. The teachers have a low turnover, which is a huge plus, and they are as warm and loving as you could hope for in a daycare situation, and with a great student/teacher ratio.

I can recommend this daycare with all my heart. My son was nearly two years old when we first had him in this daycare. Then we went back to Germany and one year later we arrived for the second time in NYC. And again, Karl loved it to be with Mandy and her teacher. They are caring and sensitive people, who have so much experience with children and they have a really good program for the older ones. The daycare has a nice summer program with field trips and a lot of fun. The staff always has an ear for the children and the day has a very good structure. We liked it very much. Simone with Karl

Our daughter has been with Building Blocks for one year and we couldn't be happier. She is always bringing home new art work and songs. She has developed wonderful friendships and loves her teachers too.

Our son (21 months old) joined building blocks several months ago and we have been very happy since. not only are the caregivers loving and supportive, but they have created an environment that is positive, educational and fun. we decided to enroll him after visiting the site and meeting with the teachers, but mostly because the other children were so very nice and sharing (definitely a group i wanted my child to be a part of)!

We could not be happier with the Building Blocks daycare / preschool. It exceeded all our expectations. All teachers are warm, caring and involved. Our son absolutely loves it. After visiting many other preschools we feel it's miraculous that we found Building Blocks.

They are really great, as much with the parents as with the children. Mandy really extended herself for us and gave us great care.

Mandy and her staff are the best, my son really loves it there.

I visited this daycare for my child, and there seemed to be a lot of positives -- warm owner and staff, but in one of the two locations, they have animals, and there were animal droppings in the kitchen. Once I saw that, I dropped it from my list.

Mandy and the teachers are all very warm and wonderful. My daughter had a great experience with them. They do field trips and play in the park, but also have a lot of indoor activities, which the children love: especially the baking and the messy stuff like finger- painting. Their graduates keep comimng back for field trips, to spend the day, or just to say hello. The atmosphere is that of a family more than a large daycare setting which is great for first-timers and shy kids. We loved it there!